1.0 PureTech vs 2.3 VR5 (V5): which engine is more reliable?

According to our risk index, the 2.3 VR5 (V5) carries less risk than the 1.0 PureTech: 32/100 (moderate risk) versus 59/100 (high risk). The 1.0 PureTech has 2 documented serious faults, the main one being «Excessive oil consumption through the piston rings»; the 2.3 VR5 (V5) has 1 documented serious fault, the main one being «Timing chain stretch».

Risk index

1.0 PureTech

High risk · 2 serious faults

Risk index

2.3 VR5 (V5)

Moderate risk · 1 serious fault

Lower risk

The index (0–100) weights the severity and frequency of the three most serious documented faults. How it is calculated

Reviewed on 2 November 202615 sources How we work

Is the 1.0 PureTech reliable?

It is a simple naturally aspirated three-cylinder, but with two documented weak points: oil consumption through the piston rings, which Stellantis acknowledges across its entire production (2012-2016), and the oil-bath timing belt it shares with the 1.2. It is only recommended with a full service history, a consumption test and a checked belt.^[1][2][3][4]

See the 3 of the 1.0 PureTech faults

Is the 2.3 VR5 (V5) reliable?

The 2.3-litre VR5 is a naturally aspirated five-cylinder with the timing chain at the rear of the engine. Gebrauchtwagenberater rates it as a buy with no known problems in the Golf IV, but in the Bora it warns that the chain sometimes stretches; AutoHints adds the coils and the plastic coolant parts as points to watch.^[5][6][7][8]

See the 3 of the 2.3 VR5 (V5) faults

Side-by-side comparison

Comparison of 1.0 PureTech and 2.3 VR5 (V5)
Item	1.0 PureTech	2.3 VR5 (V5)
Technical data
Type	Engine	Engine
Fuel	Petrol	Petrol
Displacement	999 cm³	2,324 cm³
Timing	Wet belt (belt-in-oil)	Chain
Power	68 hp	150–170 hp
Production	2012–2016^{[2][3][9][10]}	1997–2006^[11][12][13]
Reliability
Risk index (what is it?)	59High risk	32Moderate risk
Documented faults	3	3
Of high or critical severity	2	1
Worst severity	Critical severity	High severity
Main faults	High severity: Excessive oil consumption through the piston rings Critical severity: Degradation of the oil-bath timing belt Low severity: Ignition coil and spark plug failure	High severity: Timing chain stretch Medium severity: Faulty ignition coils Medium severity: Coolant leaks from the hoses and thermostat housing
Most expensive documented repair	up to €1,200Degradation of the oil-bath timing beltPublished figure^[14][15]	No reliable data
Which versions to buy
BuyRecommended versions	None	None
With cautionVersions to be cautious about	1.0 VTi / PureTech 68 (EB0, 2012-2016)^{[1][2][4][14]}	2.3 VR5 10v 150 hp (AGZ; 1997-2001)^[6][7] 2.3 VR5 20v 170 hp (AQN, AZX; 2000-2006)^[6][8]
AvoidVersions to avoid	None	None

Severity of each fault: green, low; amber, medium; red, high; dark red, critical. How we rate them

Cars that each one is fitted to

1.0 PureTech

2.3 VR5 (V5)

Other comparisons

With the 1.0 PureTech

With the 2.3 VR5 (V5)

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Sources

Every fact on this page links to its source. If you find an error, let us know.

Citroën, DS, Opel, Peugeot 1.2 PureTech. Nouvelle prise en charge pour la consommation d'huileL'argus · Motoring press · published 30 March 2024 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Moteur EBWikipédia · Other source · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
PSA inaugure son « trois-pattes »L'argus · Motoring press · published 28 December 2011 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
Moteurs PureTech - Stellantis prend a minima ses responsabilitésUFC-Que Choisir · Consumer association · published 18 January 2025 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in French
VW Golf 4: Typische Probleme und SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 2 September 2026 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
VW Bora (1J2) – Typische Probleme & SchwachstellenGebrauchtwagenberater.de · Motoring press · published 14 July 2022 · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
Engine 2.3 VR5 (AGZ) 150 HP: Experiences, problems, fuel consumption and used-car buying tipsAutoHints · Technical documentation · published 24 July 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
Volkswagen 2.3 VR5 20V (AQN): Experiences, problems, fuel consumption and used car buying tipsAutoHints · Technical documentation · published 24 July 2025 · consulted 2 November 2026
Peugeot 208 5p Access 1.0 PureTech 68 (2012-2015): precio y ficha técnicakm77 · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Prueba de consumo (126): Peugeot 208 1.0-VTi 68 CVkm77 · Motoring press · published 5 August 2013 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
VR5 engineWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
List of discontinued Volkswagen Group petrol enginesWikipedia (inglés) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026
VR-MotorWikipedia (alemán) · Other source · consulted 2 November 2026 · in German
1.2 PureTech: precio y cambio de correa de distribuciónAutopista · Motoring press · published 2 August 2026 · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish
Motor ZMZ EB0 Citroën Peugeot C3 II 208 I 1.0 VTi 68 CV usado y reconstruidoFair Motors · Technical documentation · consulted 26 September 2026 · in Spanish